Giddy Up for the Year of the Horse!

Each Chinese New Year marks the start of a new zodiac animal year. The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese Zodiac - recent horse years include 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and now, 2026. As we bid goodbye to the Year of the Snake, it is worth re-telling a slice of Chinese astrology on how the Horse came in seventh. It is said that the Horse would have finished the race in sixth place, but Snake snuck a ride in the Ox’s hoof, and when Snake jumped ashore, she startled the Horse. And in typical horse fashion, he reared back and Snake slithered across the finish line first.

According to Chinese astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they do not like being reined in by others. They are fit, smart, and in great physical health.

Here’s what’s lucky and unlucky for Horses based on Chinese Astrology:

• Lucky Number is associated with two and seven.
• Lucky Colors are red, pink, and purple.
• In Chinese culture, red is always a lucky color.
• Avoid black and blue colors.
• Avoid numbers one and six.
• Avoid keeping any pet rodents.
• Lucky flowers are jasmine, iris, and calla lily.
• Orange is a lucky fruit.

Certain special dishes are eaten during the Chinese New Year for their symbolic meaning. Lucky food is served during the 16-day spring festival and most especially on New Year’s Eve, which is believed to bring good luck for the coming year!

Dumplings symbolize prosperity and good fortune! Dumplings are one of the most iconic and beloved foods associated with the Chinese New Year. Dating back over 1,800 years, dumplings are typically made from a mixture of ground meat and vegetables wrapped in a thin dough wrapper. They can be boiled, steamed, pan-fried, deep-fried and added to soup, offering a variety of textures and flavors.

Wontons are dumplings and a staple in Chinese cuisine, savored for their delicate wrapper and tasty fillings. Wonton soup is a traditional Chinese dish served in a clear broth dating back to 960-1279 during the Song Dynasty.

Dumplings or wontons are eaten year-round for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, but when served during the Lunar New Year, dumplings and wontons take on a special meaning.

Spring rolls symbolize wealth and renewal. They are crispy on the outside, savory and juicy on the inside and are eaten year-round. They are a very common sight on Chinese dinner tables during the Lunar New Year. The clue is in their color and shape evoking gold bars – WEALTH!

Longevity noodles are eaten during the Lunar New Year to symbolize a wish for long life and good fortune. In ancient times, life expectancy was shorter and long uncut noodles were served as a metaphor for a long life. Ideally, the length of the noodles should stretch around the serving plate to symbolize longevity and endurance, and diners were encouraged to eat the noodles in one continuous slurp. Golden brown noodles symbolize wealth, and clear white vermicelli represents purity in the New Year.

You can enjoy all the lucky foods to celebrate the Chinese New Year at KJ’s Sushi and Asian Bistro. Their Lunch Special offers a variety of noodle dishes, and their soups and appetizers include the lucky dumplings and spring rolls. Their menu also lists a variety of traditional Chinese cuisine - don’t forget to read your fortune cookie! KJ’s Sushi and Asian Bistro is open seven days a week from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM.

For the Year of the Horse, wishing you all prosperity and good fortune!